'The world could use a few more people like Mike Demaras'

LOWELL -- When Christopher Demaras was in the seventh grade, his grandfather agreed to chaperone a dance at the Immaculate Conception School.

Scanning an empty dance floor in hopes of enlivening the party, Mike Demaras sought out a shy girl sitting by herself and got her to dance with him. Within minutes, the floor was filled with other couples, recalled Christopher Demaras, who gave the eulogy at his grandfather's funeral service Friday.

Mike Demaras, who died April 19 in Florida at the age of 85, was recalled fondly by his family, friends and former professional colleagues for his ability to fill every room he entered with joy, whether he was greeting banking clients, helping make the annual Taste of the Town benefit at Lowell General Hospital a big success, or staging family parties to watch travel videos he took on his many adventures with his beloved wife, the former Kathy Samaras.

Until he retired at age 81, Christopher Demaras recalled, his grandfather enjoyed getting up, having coffee with his friends and going to work every day at Enterprise Bank, where he spent the last dozen years of a career in banking that spanned five decades.

At the old BayBank branch at Central and Hurd streets, where Demaras started his career, "He was the best representative that bank had," in no small part because it often seemed like he was acquainted with just about everybody in the city, recalled Enterprise Bank Chairman George Duncan.

Demaras also worked as a senior vice president for business development at the former Arlington Trust Co.

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, out of the office at Andover Street and River Road, dabbled in the radio business at WCAP, and worked for a time in business development for the former Lowell Hilton hotel before joining the staff at Enterprise Bank.

"He loved the banking business, he loved the city, and he loved his friends," Duncan said. "Every day was a gift to him. He truly loved meeting people and trying to help them out. He was also a very valuable trainer and a mentor to young people at the bank."

A former president of the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, Demaras served for many years as an incorporator for Lowell General Hospital, where he was active in the restaurant selection for the annual Taste of the Town fundraiser.

"There's always a need for new participating restaurants. You have to convince them why they would want to feed 400 people for free," said Carol Gilchrist, past president of the LGH Ladies Auxiliary, which puts on the event.

Demaras, who partnered with Elaine Zouzas Thibault to recruit restaurant owners and chefs, was up for the job, time and again.

"He was wonderful to us. He and Elaine made a great team," Gilchrist said.

"He was always a great supporter of everything at the hospital," added Ellen Kallman, director of philanthropy for Lowell General.

Demaras took just as much joy in family gatherings as he did in a bustling charity benefit.

"My dad especially enjoyed holidays and summer cookouts, playing golf with his sons and outings to the beach," said his son, Michael, the coordinator of neighborhood services for the city of Lowell, who also recalled that his father always insisted on a family photo op every time there was a gathering.

"He adored his six grandsons and always told them how proud he was of their accomplishments."

Demaras, along with his sister, was raised alone by his mother, Hattie, after his father died at a young age. His grandson recalled how proud he was of his Lowell roots, sometimes expressing gratitude for his business success with a quip: "Not too bad for a kid from the Acre."

Demaras was affectionately called Papou by his grandchildren, who considered him a role model and friend. After graduating from Lowell High School in 1945, he joined the Army Air Corps at just 17 years old, serving in Tucson, Ariz., toward the end of World War II. After the war ended, he returned home and studied at Boston University under the G.I. Bill, earning a bachelor's degree in banking from the School of Management. He also earned a degree from the Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University.

In addition to his service with Lowell General and the Taste of the Town, Demaras was also active with Goodwill, the March of Dimes and Catholic Charities.

In his younger days, he played the drums with several bands in the area, and he was recalled by both family and professional colleagues as an impeccable dresser.

Often, Christopher Demaras said, he and Kathy liked to take all the grandsons out to dinner at a restaurant, and he would insist that each wear a suit jacket, a dress shirt, a tie and a matching pocket square, telling them, "Boys, we're not going out to eat tonight, we're having a dining experience."

"He always had a kind word for everybody, always had a smile on," said Mary Ellen Fitzpatrick, a senior vice president at Enterprise Bank. "His friends were young and old. The young people at the bank really gravitated to him, and he would tell them about how things were 'back in the day.'

"The world could use a few more people like Mike Demaras," Fitzpatrick said.

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